Centrifugal casting machine



Oct. 9, 1934.

Filed July 3, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 7/4 .az/6 i @a j 56 @43.3.

Patented Oct. 9, 1934 UNITED STATES'PATENT OFFICE'.v

1,976,654 CENTRIFUGAL CASTING MACHINE Webster I. Carpenter, Norfolk, "a.v vApplication July 3, 1933, Serial No. 678,964

6 Claims.

with this pose for has for its object to referred to and in a invention may be which it may be employed for any purfound applicable, and

provide a machine of the type manner as hereinafter set forth, whereby the applied force thereto for operating it will cause the molten metal at once to enter the mold and on the application of the metal in the mold.

A further object of the the centrifugal force created applied force will hold the invention is to provide,

in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a centrifugal casting machine so constructed and ar ranged whereby the applie erating it causes the molten metal application the mold at once, and as start of such the s'peed of the machine d force thereto for opt0 enter, on the from the applied force gradually builds the centrifugal force up until it reaches the desired speed whereby the centrifugal force acts to cause the closely follow throughout mold to provide a casting A further object of in a manner as hereinafter metal to accurately and the wall or walls of the of the shape desired.

the invention is to provide,

setforth, a centrifugal casting machine including a rotatable, counterbalanced, lengthwise adjustable suspension structure for supporting and carrying during rotation thereof, a casting ring,

and with said structure so constructed and arranged whereby the balancing thereof is accomplished by shifting its center of gravity without increasing to a material extent the sweep thereof when rotating.

A further object of the invention is to provide,

in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a centrifugal casting machine including a rotatable, counterbalanced, lengthwise adjustable suspension structure for supporting and ca thereof, a casting ring,

rrying, during rotation and with said4 structure so constructed and arranged whereby when adjusted to balanced position one end lthereof is moved from and its other end moved toward the center of gravity resulting thereby in a small increase in the length thereof so as not to increase the sweep thereof, when operating to any great extent.

A further object of the invention is to provide,

in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a centrifugal casting machine including a rotatable, balancedy suspending structure for a casting ring and a driving means for said structure, the latter and said means having coacting parts whereby said structure with lthe castin g ring containing the casting may be expeditiously removed from and replaced on said driving means when desired for the purpose of tempering any class of castings of a resilient nature or for restoring a casting to its original state, and which is generally known in dentistry as the re-tempering of metal to the resilient condition it was before the heating of the metal.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a centrifugal 054 casting machine for the purpose referred to including a lengthwise adjustable, telescopic, rotatable suspension structure for carrying, during rotation thereof, a casting ring, and with the machine including means for supporting various sizes and shapes of casting rings and provision for balancing when small sizes of casting rings are supported thereby during the operation thereof.

Further objects ofthe invention are to provide, -in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a centrifugal casting machine which is simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable, compact, thoroughly efficient when used, conveniently adjusted, readily assembled and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture. y

To the above ends essentially, and to others which may hereinafter appear, the invention consists of such parts, and such combination of parts which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, of the centrifugal casting machine supporting a casting ring. 9

Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional view looking towards the outer end of the machine andy with a casting ring and investment in supported position.

Figure 3 is a section on line 3-3 of Figure 2. 95

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view in section of the machine showing the manner of supporting and retaining a casting .ring of reduced size.

Figure 5 is a section -on line 5-5 Figure 5.

Figures 6, 7 and 8 are end views of three ferent 4shapes of casting rings.

Figures 9, 10 and 11 are perspective views of three different forms of combined retaining and weighting elements for use respectively with the difloo forms of casting rings shown in Figures 6, '7 and 8. 105

is of the gear chain type. 'I'he gears, not shown, are arranged in housing 2. 'I'he motor 1 includes an operating shaft 3 extended from housing 2. The shaft 3 at its outer end carries a crank handle 4. Y The motor 1 also includes a vertically disposed power transmission shaft 5 extending upwardly therefrom. The shaft 5 has itsl top portion bifurcated as at 6. The base of the furcation, indicated at 7 constitutes a Vsupport for a purpose to be referred to. One side of the housing 2 is formed with a pairof fixed superposed pension structure 14 for a pivotally suspended carrier 15 for a casting ring 16. 'I'he structure 14 is slidably mounted on the upper end of and driven from the shaft 5'.

The structure 14 consists of a suspension bar 17 for the carrier 15. The bar 17 with the exception of its outer end terminal portion 18 is of cylindrical cross section. The terminal portion 18 is at, is disposed at the longitudinal median of the bar and formed with an opening.

AOn each side of and at 'the inner end of the por- 35 tion 18 bar 17 is formed with vertically disposed curved shoulders 19.v The rear end terminal'portion of bar 17 is peripherally threaded, as at 20. The bar 17 in proximity to and rearwardly of .shoulders 19 is provided with a diametrically disposed stop pin 21 extended from opposite sides thereof. l

Encompassing bar 17 is a tubular member 22. 'I'he bar 17 extends forwardly and rearwardly from the ends of member 22, and the latter has its outer periphery formed with a plane portion 23, a threaded portion 24, a plane portion 25 and a threaded portion 26. The portion 24 is arranged between and is of greater length than the portions 23, 25. The portion 23 is arranged at 4the forward endand the portion 26 at the rear end of member 22. Detachably connected to the portion 26 and extending rearwardly from member 22 is a weight 27 providing a counter-(balance. The weight 27 is formed with an axial opening 28. The bar 17 extends through opening 28 and carries .a holding nut 29 on its portion 20. The nut 29 abuts the rear side of weight 27 for retaining it on bar 17. 'I'he forward end edge 30v of member 22 is arrangedrearwardly of and in proximity to pin 21 and the latter in connection with nut 29 couples the bar 17 and member 22, in telescopic relation.

The structure 14 includes a coupling element 31 for detachably connecting it to the shaft 5 whereby structure 14 is carried with and rotated from shafti. The element 31 consists of a horizontally disposed tubular head 32 having its inner face threaded throughout, as at 33. The head 32 is integral centrally of its bottom with the upper end of a depending vertically disposed tubular stem 34 provided between its transverse median and upper end with a diametrically extending coupling pin 35. When structure 14 is connected -to shaft 5, the stem 34 is positioned to encompass `shaft 5 to an extent to project below the base 6 of the furcation formed in its upper portion 0I,

shaft-5. The pin 35 seats on base 6 and is of a length to project from opposite sides of `shaft 5, whereby pin 35 coacts with the walls of the fur- -cation to provide for -structure 14 to be bodily carried with and rotated from shaft 5. The stem 34 is slidably mounted on shaft 5 to enable it to be expeditiously removed from and replaced on the shaft when occasion requires. 'Ihe member 22 extends through and is ofa materially greater length than head 32. The threads 33 coact with the threaded portion 24 of member 22 for the purpose of maintaining it in position when shifted with respect to the center of gravity of the structure 14.

The carrier 15 comprises a circular plate 36 'constituting a support for the ring 16. Formed Y 39 and mergingat its outer or upper end in the The latter is vertically lower end of stretch 41. disposed. The stretch 42 extends inwardly at an upward inclination from the upper end of stretch 41 and merges at its inner or upper end into the lower end of stretch 43. The latter is -vertically disposed. The stretch 44 extends inwardly at an upward inclination from the upper end of stretch 43 and merges at its inner or upper end in the lower end 'of stretch 45. The latter is vertically disposed and formed with an opening which registers with the opening in the terminal portion 18 of bar 17. The stretch 44 is of greater length than any of the other stretches. the stretches 41, 43 are substantially of the same length and of greater length than stretches 39, 40, 42 and 45. Stretch 39 is of greatery length than stretches 40, 42 and 45. Stretch 45 isof greater length than stretches 40, 42.' The length of stretches 40, 42 is the same. The lower end Aof the inner face of the stretches 39 are secured to the edge of plate 36. The stretches 45 are positioned against the sides of the reduced terminalportion 18 of bar 17 and are pivotally connected therewith by a headed pivot pin 46 extending through the openings therein andthe opening interminal portion 18. 'A securing nut 47 is carried by pin 17. The hanger members 37, 38 are not only connected together by being secured to the edge of plate 36 and the pivot pin 46 and securing nut 47 in connection with terminal portion 18, but are also connected together by a retaining ring 48 which is secured to the inner faces of said suspension members at the upper part of the inner faces of the opposed stretches '39. The outer diameter of ring 48 is the same as the diameter of plate 36. The ring 48 may be of square cross section or round and it maintains the casting ring 16 in spaced relation with respect to the suspension members 37, 38.

The casting ring 16 shown in Figures 1, 2 and 311s of greater size than the casting ring 49 shown in Figures 4 and 5. The ring. 16 or 49 may be of a contour similar to any one of the casting rings, as indicated at 50, 51 and 52 respectively, Figures 6, 7 and 8 respectively. The casting rings 16, 49, 50, 51 and 52 each will have its inner face provided with an endless groove having the side walls thereof oppositely beveled as indicated at 53, 54

The length of i 2 and 3 it will be retained in position by ring 48,

but when a casting ring is of the size shown in Figures 4 and 5 it will be much lighter in weight and provision must be made for retaining it in position in the carrier 15 and for balancing struc- .ture 14, so the weight of the latter at each end will be the same, and for this purpose a combined retaining and weight element as indicated at 62, Figures 4, 5 and 9 or at 64, Figure 10 or at 66, Figure 11 is employed.

If a casting ring of reduced size and weight and of circular form be employed, such as casting ring 49 or 50, the element 62, Figures 4, 5 and 9, is employed. Element 62 is formed with a circular opening 63 corresponding in contour to the external shape of casting ring 49 or 50. The wall of the opening 63, when the casting ring is extended therethrough is slightly spaced therefrom. If a casting ring is square in contour such as casting ring 51, then the form of retaining and weight element 64 shown in Figure 10 will 'be used. Element 64 has an opening 65 corresponding in contour to the external shape of casting ring 51. If the casting ring employed is of oval contour, such as casting ring 52, then the form of retaining and weight element 66 shown in Figure 11 will be used. Element 66 has an opening 67 corresponding in contour to the external shape of casting ring 52. The external contour -of each retaining and Weight element is circular. f

The opening in each retaining and weightelement has its wall 68 of tapered contour which facilitates the careening of the casting ring to an angle on removing it from such element without so readily dragging on the wall. of each retaining and Weight element is rabbeted to provide a shoulder 69 for the purpose of mounting the element on ring 48 to be suspended from the latter within the carrier.

The weight 27 consists of an axially apertured lead body 70 completely enclosed by a tubular hard metal shell 71 having a threaded part 71 for engagement with the threaded portion 26 of bar 17. The shell 71 protects the lead body 70.

The casting ring 16 and the casting ring 49 has arranged therein an investment 72 which has its bottom flush with the bottom edge of the casting ring. A laterally extended peripheral portion 73 of the investment 72 extends into the internal groove of the casting ring whereby the latter and the investment are connected together. The investment 72 is provided with a mold 74 and a sprue 75 leading from the top of the investment to the mold. The top of the investment is formed with a flaring cavity having vthe wall thereof formed with a depressed portion 76 upon which is seated initially the body of metal 76' which is to be molded. The molten metal passes through the sprue 75 to the mold 74. That part of the wall of the cavity above the depressed portion 76 is formed of alternately disposed endless risers 77 and endless shoulders 78 connecting the risers together. The risers and shoulders incline in a direction toward the axis of the investment. The manner of setting up the wall of the cavity within the upper end of the investment arrests the shifting of the metal to an extent, when the casting ring and investment are carried around with the structure, so as not to prevent and to facilitate the molten metal entering the sprue 75.

. The stretches 40, 41 and 42 of the hanger mem- The outer edge' bers 37, 38 permit of the passage of a suitable tool, such as a pair of tongs to provide for the convenient removal of the casting ring from the carrier.

Owing to the manner of setting up the carrier 15 relative to the structure 14 on the manual operation of the motor 1, the applied force will cause the molten metal at once to enter the mold and as the speed of the machine increases a centrifugal force is built up causing the carrier to be swung outwardly on its pivot and such centrifugal force acts to cause the metal to accurately and closely follow throughout the wall or walls of the mol-d to provide a casting of the shape desired. The initial movement of the carrier will be in the direction of a circular path as it depends from structure 14, but as the speed of the machine increases, the carrier, due to the centrifugal force created will be extended radially with respect to shaft 5.

If it be desired to create a balance for the ends of structure 14, member 22 is rotated in a direction depending upon which end of structure 14 is the lightest. If the end to which the carrier is suspended is the lightest, then member 22 is rotated in a direction to shift such end away from and the other end moved toward the center of gravity and vice versa.

1. In a centrifugal casting machine, a rotatable T-shaped element formed with an interiorly threaded tubular head, a bar exten-ding through said head, a peripherally threaded tubular member adjustable relative to said element and encompassing and of less length than that of said bar, said member extending through and threadedly engaging with the threads of said head, a counterbalance encompassing an end terminal portion of said bar and threadedly connected to one end oi said member, a retaining means on v one end of said `bar for and abutting said counterbalance, a stop carried by the bar in proximity lli) tothe other ends of^'said bar and member, and

said bar at the said other end thereof provided with means for pivotally suspending a casting ring carrier.

2. In a centrifugal casting machine, a counterweight means having an axial opening, the wall of the latter having vits inner end portion of greater diameter than its remaining portion, the said inner end portion being threaded, a rotatable element formed with a tubular interiorly threaded part, a peripherally threaded tubular member extending through, threadedly engaging with and adjustable relative to said part, said member threadedly engaging at one end with the threaded Wall portion of said counterweight means for connecting the latter and said member together, a bar extending through said member and the opening of said counterweight means, a retaining means mounted on one end of the bar and abutting said counterweight, a stop pin carried by the bar and interposed between the other end of the latter and the otherend of said member, that portion of said bar outwardly with respect to said pin being reduced and shouldered, and means carried by said reduced p0rtion for pivotally suspending a casting ring carrier.

3. In a centrifugal casting machine, a counter- Weight, acasting ring carrier, an adjustable horizontally revoluble' tubular member, said weight and member having coacting means for xedly connecting the weight' in extended lateral relaextending through and projecting from said member and weight, means for pivotally suspending said carrier from one end of the bar, said bar being provided with means coacting with said member and Weight to provide for said carrier, bar, member and weight to bodily move together on the adjusting and revolving of said member, a revoluble element encompassing a stretch of said member, and said element and member having coacting means to provide for the adjusting of said member relative to said element selectively in opposite directions to cause said carrier and weight to alternately move towards and from said element.

4. Ina centrifugal casting machine, a revoluble adjustable horizontally disposed supporting structure provided with a counterbalance at one end, an upstanding rotatable element for revolving said structure, a support for a casting ring, oppositely disposed straps anchored at their lower ends to said support at a diametrically opposite point of the latter and having inturned upper portions positioned against opposite sides of the other end of said structure, means for pivotally suspending said straps from the said other end of said structure, said rotatable element having as a part-thereof a tubular portion encompassing a stretch of said structure, and said portion and said structure being provided with coacting means substantially as described having provisions tov provide for the selective adjusting of said structure in opposite directions with respect to said portion for moving the carrier and counterbalance in unison alternately towards and from said portion.

5. In a` centrifugal casting machine, a horizontally disposed revoluble supporting structure having a counterbalance at one end, a casting ring support, a pair of oppositely disposed straps, each formed intermediate its ends with an outset portion and being inwardly disposed at its upper portion to extend in parallelism with respect to `one side of the other end of said structure, said straps being anchored to said carrier at `diametriable element for revolving said structure, said,

rotatable element having as a part thereof a tubular portion encompassing said structure intermediate the ends of the latter, and said portion and said structure provided with coacting means substantially as described having provisions to provide for the selective adjustment of said structure in opposite directions with respect to said portion for moving the carrier and counterbalance in unison alternately towards and from said portion. l

6; In a centrifugal casting machine, a counterweight having an axial opening, a cover element completely encompassing said weight and being formed with internal threads, a horizontally revoluble tubular member having a peripherally threaded end coacting with the threads of said element for connecting the Weight in laterally extended relation with respect to said end, an up- -standing rotatable element having as a part thereof a tubular portion encompassing said member intermediate the ends of the latter, a bar extending through and projectingfrom said member and Weight, a casting ring carrier pivotally suspended from one end of said bar, said bar intermediate its ends and at its other end pro-y 'vided with means coacting with said member WEBSTER I. CARPENTER.` 

